"Thanks; I Needed That!"

Thank God for friends and thank God, period. Last week, as previously noted, was a week from Hades. I was seriously contemplating chucking it all. But a comment from a dear, wise friend who is also in (as another friend puts it) this "ministry called education" gave me a much needed pause. That pause coupled with some serious prayer (Tablet of Ahmad and the Fire Tablet amongst them) helped me put the experiences in perspective. As Dot, my wise friend, advised, this is the nature of teaching. Children are "following a whole different drummer and then we step in and tell them the beat has changed!" And let me tell you, in the UAE, they definitely follow a beat that is not of my culture - neither American or of my Bahamian roots.

Rude behavior and challenges to authority were not tolerated. Additionally, how my brother and I behaved outside of our home was not only a reflection on us but also our family (and in my mother's view, our religion as well). We darn sure had better not bring any shame or disgrace upon our mother, grandparents, or the Baha'i Faith! But then I was raised by a parent and not a nanny with no vested interest in developing my character. Because soooo many of them are not raised by their parents but instead managed by them, they tend to treat us teachers with the same lack of respect that they show their hadamas (nannies). So they want to juke to one rhythm and I to another - it is a battle of the bands.

Additionally, I came back with the template of my students at last school term's end in mind, i.e. my new students would behave just as my former students did by the term's end. Ridiculous thought. I truly had forgotten just how bad it was in the beginning of the school year and all that it took to get them to that level of behavior and academic achievement. As Dot eloquently stated, "Every year it is a new set to set straight and yes, it sucks." I'd just forgotten how much it could. (May my sense memory never fail me so completely AGAIN!) But just knowing that I'm not alone (and I don't mean just in the UAE because this is life as Licensed Teachers know it here) in having such experiences made me realize it's the profession. Now it may not be as hard as this in the States (believe me, no inner city school can compare . . . well maybe the ones where they carry weapons and attack the teachers) but the sense of frustration is shared. Knowing that helped me to not take it so personally, I guess. Once I let go of that, I found this week to be a whole lot better than the last. I realize that it will take some time. I'll pick and choose the battles which are worth fighting but in the end there will be one victor and she'll be the one standing in the front of the class.

And guess what? One of the Emirati teachers who has always been open and kind, invited me back into the local teachers' room to eat lunch. When I explained my reason in response to her inquiry for not eating there anymore, she gave a look of, "Don't listen to that," and said to come anyway. So I did and it feels good because I did not like the separation of locals and Westerners. I end the week much more hopeful than I did before and am a bit more optimistic about this year. I'll keep you posted. :)